Planting Celery

Celery is a cool to temperate weather crop that performs poorly in hot conditions. has a long maturity time, so seeds should be started undercover 10 weeks before your last frost date. Seeds are also slow to germinate, but soaking them in warm water overnight before planting will help. Gently press the seeds into soil, roughly 2cm (1") apart if possible, as celery seeds are very small. Mist the seeds regularly and cover with plastic wrap to retain moisture. Be patient; germination can take up to 3 weeks. Celery prefers well-draining soil rich in organic matter, and thrives in full sun.

Growing Celery

Once seedlings reach 5cm (2") tall, transplant them into individual pots, or 5cm (2") apart if putting multiple seedlings in one container. From here, harden off seedlings by putting them in a safe place outside for two hours, increasing by one hour every day for a week. Once acclimated to the outside conditions, plant each celery seedling 20cm (8") apart and water in well.

Seedlings may benefit from row covers for the first month to deter pests. Keep the soil moist but not wet; celery requires a lot of water, especially during warmer conditions. Once plants reach 15cm (6") tall, mulch to help moisture retention and keep the roots cool. Optionally, bundling celery stalks together with garden twine can help prevent the plant from sprawling out.

There are two main celery varieties; blanching (or trenching) and self-blanching. Self-blanching varieties can be grown regularly, but blanching varieties will need some extra work for the best result. Blanching celery seedlings should be planted with extra space between, as the soil will need to be hilled up around them to prevent the stalks from becoming bitter. Once the celery is 30cm (12") tall, hill soil around the stalks (but not the leaves), and repeat every time the celery grows to be 8cm (3") above the soil. If space is limited, a similar effect can be achieved by wrapping the celery in a brown paper bag and securing it with twine, adding more as the plant grows.

Harvesting Celery

Celery can be harvested at any time, but will be at its best roughly 3 months after transplanting. Harvest stems individually, or harvest the entire plant by cutting just beneath the crown. Celery should be stored in a cool, dark place, and will keep for several weeks.